family assisstance

[Gigi]

does anyone have an opinions on whether it is better to get the family assistance each fortnight OR once a year in a lump sum IF your family income is pretty fixed. I hear awful stories in the news about families having to make huge back payments cos the fortnightly amounts were worked out incorrectly and they were overpaid (even after declaring changes in income) - makes the whole thing sound like quite a minefield.

[Lulu]

It IS a bloody minefield Gigi, not helped by not enough staff to have the time to explain everything to people.
If your income is pretty fixed, is should be fine to receive your payments fortnightly, most of us over estimate a little just in case, to cover any unexpected overtime etc. This way you can get your payments f/tly and there may be a little waiting for you at the end of the fin year once reconciliation has been done with the tax dept.

However you may have seen the different payment plans you can have. If you are unsure you can just receive either Part A through the year and part B at the end. Or Base rate part A, then collect the balance at the end of the fin year. You can have it both ways. Oops starting to get confusing - if you need further clarification let me know. I'm a FAO expert!